The famously charming capital of Cuba, Havana boasts brightly-painted buildings, old American cars, myriad museums and buzzing bars where you can expect live music and dancing every night. This fascinating city is fast becoming a favourite holiday destination, with accommodation options ranging from elegant townhouse apartments to swish city hotels. Many of the best places to stay in Havana are clustered around the old part of town, but there are some real gems in neighbouring Vedado, which is a cultural hub in its own right.
Whether you’re visiting as a couple, or with friends and family, Havana is a brilliant city to explore. Take a guided walking tour for an insight into the city’s heritage, food and music scene. The trade and travel bans which isolated Cuba from global development for much of the 20th Century have preserved a rich culture and striking architecture, best seen on foot or by bicycle. Arts and heritage buffs will love the Museo de la Revolucion, the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, the eerie Necrópolis Cristóbal Colón, and smaller museums dedicated to Hemingway, Napoleon and others. Havana Cathedral is superb, and strolls around the Plaza de Armas — laid out in the 1520s — and Plaza Vieja are highly recommended.
Pick up local handicrafts at the Centro Cultural Antiguos Almacenes de Deposito San Jose, or make your way to the 8-km Malecón, to join Cuban families for an amble along the seafront esplanade. Across the water, the huge Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña protects Havana from the ocean and served as Che Guevara’s post-revolution headquarters — it is well worth visiting.
Spend your evenings sipping Cuba Libres at street-side bars, savouring delectable fare in friendly eateries, and dancing til dawn at Havana’s hottest spots. The paint may be peeling, but this is a city with stacks of soul. The best places to stay in Havana are likely to fill up fast, so book your trip well in advance.
No spam. Only sweet updates about the latest hotel openings and the best places to stay.
Havana
A laid-back boutique hotel set in a restored 1925 mansion which prides itself on its personalised service. Plus there are a handful of stylish rooms and suites most with private balcony or terrace, an excellent brasserie and a secret garden with a cocktail bar and plunge pool. Havana city chic.
Havana (Vedado)
This stylish boutique hotel is set within a heritage mansion in Vedado. Inside, hand-selected antiques and a classic verandah give the sense of travelling back in time, with chandeliers and print wallpapers creating a glamourous finish. Enjoy a cocktail at the rooftop bar after a day's sightseeing.
Havana
A colonial 18th century building with stature, previously an aristocratic residence. A classical facade with contemporary interiors. Rooms and suites are simple, some have hot tubs and DVD players. Stunning views over the city from the rooftop terrace. Well positioned in the Old Town, good value.
Havana
A bastion of the former days of Cuban sophistication this hotel is awash with old school glamour. Classy, spacious bedrooms are decorated in antique furnishing and dark woods. There is an impressive museum and sitting room. Lovely gardens overlook Malecón sea front.
Havana
An elegant two-bedroom apartment set in a historic building in the centre of Havana. Grand interiors feature antiques, murals by artists from the Cuban School of Fine Arts, traditional artwork, and crystal chandeliers. With a modern kitchen and large terrace, this property ticks all the boxes.
Havana
A beautifully converted house in Havana's old district, Havana Vieja. The two suites are both vast with floor-to-ceiling windows, a beautiful mix of contemporary and antique furnishings, and a terrace or balcony. Indulgent breakfasts are served in-room. An intimate and glamorous home-away-from-home.
Havana
A chic four-bedroom boutique property set in the heart of Havana. Interiors have been painstakingly designed with handcrafted furniture, individually selected tiles, and contemporary fabrics. Minimum booking is per floor with two bedrooms. City style defined.
Havana
Two chic apartments located in the heart of Havana. The smaller is a two-bedroom and larger three-bedroom (they can also be rented together for larger groups). Interiors are fresh and light with pastel hues, expansive windows, colonial-inspired furniture, and Marshall speakers. A stylish city pad.
Havana (La Habana Vieja)
This chic, five-star hotel is located in Havana, Cuba. Rooms are contemporary with high ceilings and elegant interiors; the best offer city views from a traditional shuttered balcony. Book a suite for luxurious living space. Enjoy panoramic views from the San Cristobal Restaurant; a stand-out hotel.
Havana
Havana's first luxury boutique. This 1930's mansion has been restored to perfection with individually decorated stylish rooms and suites- think clean white lines and bold splashes of colour. The aqua blue restaurant serves excellent food and the on site gallery is an attraction in its own right.
Havana (San Juan)
A sleek resort located on Havana's busy waterfront. Chic modern rooms feature sharp lines, whitewashed walls, and epic sea views. With three restaurant options, including one gourmet, plus several bars ranging from a sophisticated piano bar to something a little more lively, this is a youthful stay.
